Bent-shape effects of multi-walled carbon nanotube on the electrical conductivity and rheological properties of polycarbonate/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

In this study, polycarbonate (PC)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nancomposites have been prepared by pretreating MWCNT solutions with ultrasonication. We demonstrate that the electrical conductivity and rheological properties of PC/MWCNT nanocomposites strongly depend on the mesoscopic shape factor (lsp/d), which is represented by the ratio between the static bending persistence length (lsp) and outer diameter (d) of the MWCNT. The electrical conductivity of PC/MWCNT nanocomposites increases linearly with increasing (lsp/d)2 and the percolation threshold of PC/MWCNT nanocomposites decreases linearly with increasing (lsp/d)2 of MWCNTs. The storage modulus of PC/MWCNT nanocomposites increases linearly with increasing (lsp/d)2 of MWCNTs at all frequency ranges.

► The MWCNT shape behavior was first suggested by 3-dimensional structure using static bending persistence length (lsp) and outer diameter (d) of the MWCNT.
► The electrical conductivity of polycarbonate/MWCNT nanocomposites strongly depend on the mesoscopic shape of MWCNT (lsp/d).